LWE under control in Odisha: DGP

Berhampur: Odisha Director General of Police K B Singh today said left-wing extremism (LWE) was under control even though their presence was felt in 19 out of 30 districts of the state.

“Though the activities of the Red rebels are under control, they are not fully eliminated. It is a challenge for the Odisha Police,” Singh told reporters here.

He said nine out of 30 districts of the state have been identified as the “Maoist-infested” at present. The movements of Maoists were earlier in Kandhamal and Boudh districts and the rebels tried to consolidate their base in Kalahandi district.

Police posed a major challenge to the Maoists all along.

“We have discussed all the issued with the SPs of southern police range and tried to evolve strategy to tackle the situation,” he said.

The DGP, however, ruled out possibilities of revisiting the existing Maoist surrender policy in the state.

“The policy was approved by the Centre. More Maoist activists are coming to surrender before the police for an effective rehabilitation policy. We think there is no need to review the present rehabilitation package,” Singh said.

Earlier, Singh reviewing the law and order situation in five southern districts including Ganjam, Berhampur, Boudh, Kandhamal and Gajapapti with the SPs concerned, said the situation in all these districts was “by and large” under control.

The DGP said a new SP for Berhampur would be posted soon.

The post was lying vacant after the transfer of the SP to Puri.

He also said the commissionerate police system for Berhampur was in the pipeline and it would be implemented soon.

The government had announced the commissionerate police system for Berhampur about three years ago.